Car Insurance

[Gypsyangel 11]

Sorry if this has been covered, but I can't find it when I do a search ...

When I drive my car to NJ, do I stay on my Canadian car insurance until I register my car and get SSN, etc.? Do our Canadian insurance companies cover us if we're no longer living here, during the transition?

[Emancipation 2]

Best thing is to call your insurance agent and ask them. I know a lot of CDN companies don't want the liability - that's what they told me - when you move to another country and will be driving out of Canada. If they know it's just a short period of time, they may be okay with it.

Edited June 15, 2008 by Emancipation

[Gypsyangel 11]

Thanks for the input. I guess I'll give them a call closer to my move date. I'm not all that comfortable with having not having insurance for awhile. Hopefully, i can get something quickly when I get down there.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Can your fiance/husband add you to his insurance? That is what my husband did (before we were married). Or, if he can't add you, maybe you can get a good rate through the same insurer. From my understanding, insurance is not transportable across borders. You may be able to claim that you are not really resident here until you apply for AOS as until that time you are a non-immigrant and if you do not get married, will not be staying in the US, thus your stay is technically, only 'temporary'. Don't know if that will work or not.

[jonandmary 0]

My insurance agent will let me add Mary the month before we are married. They want her ONT drivers license info and that was about it! No credit check because it's on my insurance policy.

[Gypsyangel 11]

Hi,

Thanks for the responses. We are looking into getting me added to future hubby's insurance. I will cross my fingers that it will be no problem. I've read the NJ insurance industry "rules". They don't like lapses in insurance, so this would be the best solution.

Thanks!

[Krikit 1,165]

My husband just called his insurance company and added me and my car to his policy. They required my Ontario driver's license and the VIN and license plate number of my car, and told me to just let them know once I've changed everything over. I had told my Canadian car insurance people that I was moving and asked them about keeping the insurance on the car until I had changed everything down here. Since they are not allowed to insurance cars in another country, they asked me to provide a Canadian address and said they would use that as a workaround until I was settled. It was, quite possibly, the easiest part of the whole immigration process.

[ChasingAmy 0]

My husband just called his insurance company and added me and my car to his policy. They required my Ontario driver's license and the VIN and license plate number of my car, and told me to just let them know once I've changed everything over. I had told my Canadian car insurance people that I was moving and asked them about keeping the insurance on the car until I had changed everything down here. Since they are not allowed to insurance cars in another country, they asked me to provide a Canadian address and said they would use that as a workaround until I was settled. It was, quite possibly, the easiest part of the whole immigration process.

By the time I move to Texas I will still owe probably $2000 on my car. Do I have to have that paid off before I cross at the POE?

[kimmbo 0]

We were both living in Canada and when we moved, our Canadian Insurance covered us for only 30 days from the day we left... before that time was up we had already gotten a new plan from AAA... definetly call and make sure though with your company... good luck!

[Emancipation 2]

My husband just called his insurance company and added me and my car to his policy. They required my Ontario driver's license and the VIN and license plate number of my car, and told me to just let them know once I've changed everything over. I had told my Canadian car insurance people that I was moving and asked them about keeping the insurance on the car until I had changed everything down here. Since they are not allowed to insurance cars in another country, they asked me to provide a Canadian address and said they would use that as a workaround until I was settled. It was, quite possibly, the easiest part of the whole immigration process.

By the time I move to Texas I will still owe probably $2000 on my car. Do I have to have that paid off before I cross at the POE?

Isn't the rule that you have to own the title? If you have a non-secured loan (ie. you own the car) no problems, but if the bank holds the title (or a finance company) it's not possible to import a CDN car .. correct me if i'm wrong guys

[Carlawarla 1]

My husband just called his insurance company and added me and my car to his policy. They required my Ontario driver's license and the VIN and license plate number of my car, and told me to just let them know once I've changed everything over. I had told my Canadian car insurance people that I was moving and asked them about keeping the insurance on the car until I had changed everything down here. Since they are not allowed to insurance cars in another country, they asked me to provide a Canadian address and said they would use that as a workaround until I was settled. It was, quite possibly, the easiest part of the whole immigration process.

By the time I move to Texas I will still owe probably $2000 on my car. Do I have to have that paid off before I cross at the POE?

Isn't the rule that you have to own the title? If you have a non-secured loan (ie. you own the car) no problems, but if the bank holds the title (or a finance company) it's not possible to import a CDN car .. correct me if i'm wrong guys

Yikes...I don't know! I hope someone will tell Chasing Amy before she moves. I thought it was if you were leasing a car? Maybe not. I know a few people had to sell their cars before moving because of that. As well, hope everyone knows that moving a car to the US doesn't just mean "any" car. It has to comply. While most Canadian cars do, I doubt if your 1982 beater does!

[Carlawarla 1]

Well, I just looked at another thread, and Krikit provided the answers to Chasing Amy about owing money on a car. I guess you CAN import a car that isn't paid off. I think what I remember reading was about a leased car. Because you're leasing it, the leasing company will not let you take it down. Anyway, there is the "importing a car to the US" thread that answers many questions and provides links.

[bluegreen 0]

Well, I just looked at another thread, and Krikit provided the answers to Chasing Amy about owing money on a car. I guess you CAN import a car that isn't paid off. I think what I remember reading was about a leased car. Because you're leasing it, the leasing company will not let you take it down. Anyway, there is the "importing a car to the US" thread that answers many questions and provides links.

It also depends on your loan. My Toyota loan does not allow me to import my car, or even bring my car to the States without a lein release. Oops.